The array of politicial parties involved in Norwegian elections can be dizzying. Taking Aftenposten's "Valgomat" test can help determine which party would best represent your views on a wide variety of issues in Norway.
Eight major parties battled to win seats on local township and neighbourhood councils in the September local elections. Voters cast ballots for parties in Norway, not individual candidates, and Aftenposten also has written a rundown that offers brief descriptions of each party.
More than 3.6 million Norwegians were eligible to cast ballots in the September 10 local elections, which occur every four years in Norway. They're important, because it's at the local level that the majority of funding is determined for such public services as nursing homes and schools.
There's an election every two years in Norway, with local and national elections staggered and each occurring four years apart. Only Norwegian citizens, though, are allowed to vote in national elections or the seldom referenda, such as those held on the issue of whether Norway should join the European Union.
Battles at the booths
The various parties campaign vigorously from booths set up in local town squares. In Oslo, the booths traditionally line the capital's main boulevard, Karl Johans Gate, where voters can pose questions to party members and engage in debates during the campaign season.
Official Norwegian election campaigns, which at four to five weeks are generally much shorter than they are in most countries, also involve direct mail, media advertisements and frequent television debates among party leaders and local party officials.